Middlesbrough 1 Peterborough 0

Posh crashed to their seventh successive defeat, on the road, as a single goal from Barry Robson was enough to ensure the home side took all three points.

There`s no doubt it was Gordon Strachan who had the smile on his face at the end of the ninety minutes of what could be, at best, described as a turgid game that had very little to keep the paying audience enthralled.

Jim Gannon, as he suggested he might in his pre-match interview, altered things slightly going for a lone striker formation in the shape of Aaron Mclean with his usual partner, Craig Mackail-Smith, warming the bench.

If it was a move designed to frustrate the home side it didn`t last too long. In the first few minutes Robson forced Joe Lewis to make a smart save and then with a mere seven minute son the clock, Posh were behind.

The goal came after Franks scuttled down the left hand side to the by-line and pulled a ball back that Robson slotted home with ease.

The goal knocked the stuffing somewhat out of Posh and Middlesbrough dominated proceedings with Robson showing just why Strachan was keen to bring him south of the border, from Celtic.

As half time approached Lewis was forced to save well from another recent recruit from Celtic, in Flood but with almost the last kick of the half it was Posh that almost levelled when Lee Frecklington forced Coyne into making a fine save.

Eight minutes into the second half, Gannon made two changes, introducing Josh Simpson and Reuben Reid for Tom Williams and Charlie Lee, unfortunately the game was to slip into a midfield malaise with neither side creating any clear cut chances.

With eight minutes left Gannon made his last change swapping Craig Mackail-Smith for Aaron Mclean but it was to be Josh Simpson who almost rescued a point but his late chance was blocked by a resolute Middlesbrough defence.

Another game gone, another game lost, it`s starting to look like - "Hello League One my old friend" - time!

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